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October 31, 2010
Halloween was a heavily anticipated event for the girls. Alisha had complained about wearing the same Sleeping Beauty dress two years in a row even though she was in a butterfly outfit last year (see photo from October 2009). Unfortunately, her memory bank during the time period following her diagnosis is a complete blur. Ashley was quite content to wear her Snow White outfit again, so she was busy convincing Alisha that SpongeBob costume is not a wise choice while at Toys R Us. Alisha finally acquiesced to sibling pressure and settled with Cinderella.Prior to trick-o-treating, the girls had their annual Chinese School athletic event where they competed in tug-o-war, three-legged race, tennis ball toss, potato-sack race, etc. within their grade level. Alisha soon got tired with standing around and waiting, so opted out most of the events after the tug-o-war and three-legged race. My parents were busy lining up with the various food vendors ensuring that all of us are fed. They got boiled tea eggs, pastry with custard fillings, stinky tofu (it's so good!), boba milk tea, sticky rice, etc. Batman was around for photo opportunities and urging all of us over 18 to vote. Can't wait for the food next year!Luckily, the Chinese event was long and out in the sun, so the girls managed to take a nap before the evening venture. My sister invited us to their new neighborhood since our neighborhood doesn't participate in giving out candies as do their community. However, Ashley got really scared a few times with the haunted house and eerie decorations. The girls made it out like bandits and received many king-size candy bars at the end of the evening. The following day, we divvied up some candies and donated a huge bag to the brave men and women serving in the military. 
October 10, 2010Craig had recently created a forum called Childhood Cancer Forums (http://www.childhoodcancerforums.com/) aimed to have families help other families. Our goal is to have families share their stories and experiences of their child's illness in the hopes of assisting other families confronted with the same illness.We could definitely relate when we first came home from the hospital and had to administer medication to Alisha, we were lost. The different reactions that came from her throughout the first months and many more that followed were confusing and chaotic. We have spent hours on the computer researching and talking with other parents trying to find out if certain reactions were normal. With the forums, we hope to centralize the research and provide answers and solutions to help others overcome a trying time.Although in its infancies, please help us spread this website to those families in need. Thank you!
October 8, 2010Camp again? When will it end? Apparently, for the kids, the more the merrier. As for the adults, packing and washing dust, shrub, mud-covered clothes don't sound very appealing. However, as long as the kids had fun, it is all worth it!This was our first experience camping at Camp Ronald McDonald. Since Alisha isn't 9 yet, we are able to attend camp as a family. In less than 2 years, she can attend the week-long camp during the summer all by herself. The family camp is tailored for kids 0 - 8 years old, so the pace of the camp is more leisurely. We had fun fishing, playing games, dressing up, doing crafts, practicing archery, etc. The food prepared for us was fabulous and again, the camp counselors were very energetic and caring.Although sharing the cabin with other families was not the ideal situation (screaming kids at 11pm), we tried to block out the negativity with the activities scheduled at camp. The girls patiently fished at the pond and each of them caught a small fish...they were so excited and wanted to fish again the following morning, but we ran out of time. Alisha excelled at archery just as she did on the Wii archery game.It was heartbreaking seeing the illness some of these kids had endured, but heartwarming to know that there are people out there who care enough to put camps together for these kids and their family to attend. We love Camp Ronald McDonald and cannot wait for the camp next year!
October 2, 2010It appears as if our life evolved around camps and functions since the beginning of summer. Well, this weekend was no different as we were slotted in for another event hosted by Starlight and California Pizza Kitchen (CPK). Although this camp was almost spoiled by the unexpected thunderstorm that graced us with its presence, it cleared up just in time for the fun to commence.We received yellow t-shirts and the girls headed straight for airbrushed tattoos. Alisha selected Snoopy and Ashley went for a dolphin (Mom had to get Doraemon). CPK graciously provided tasty lunch for all of us, which included pasta, pizza, salad and drinks. There were activity stations set up to entertain the kids. Towards the end, the kids were able to make mud pudding with Oreo cookies crumbled over vanilla or chocolate pudding and decorated with a gummy insect of their choice.Alisha could not get away from the challenge course, so we all had to gravitate toward the ropes, swings, wires, etc. for her to get several doses of it. On the way out, we received a bag with the Wizard of Oz dvd, book and activity set. The girls had a blast and that's all it matters!
